P s 

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BY 



CJ Lj i.^ 1 .C=<' 







LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Shelf .Ail , , .., 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



P It 



^POEMS^ 



BY 



U LLI E. 



[ ULLIE R. AKERSTRDM.] 



-^^O^i^ 



7^ij<P ' 



CHICAGO, ILLS. 
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 

1884. 






, j 1884.' '■■ 

WMi PciKiER, Printer, 149 Wabash Avenue, 

CHlCACiO, IM.S. 





^"^^-^ii/ 



(2^M^ 



To 

My dear Mother, 

MRS. ELIZABETH W, AKERSTRDM, 

This bank is affectianatBly InscribBd 

by her daughter, 

ULLIE. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, by Ullie R. 
Akerstrom, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



— • lOii " — 

I ) K S (• K 1 V r I \' E . 

i'ACE. 

1. riic Miners' I'lolege 9 

2. Right Will E'er Prevail 1 1 

3. Thoughts in a Churchyard 12 

4. Never Dilly dally ij 

5. Phantoms I4 

6. To-morrow 15 

7. Learn to Walk Alone I? 

8. What do we Live Eor ? 18 

9. Push Ahead, and Don' t 1 )esi)air , ■ . . . 19 

10. Life's Workers 20 

1 1 . Your Fortune 21 

12. My Wish 22 

13. Rely Upon \'ourself 23 

14. ( )de to Night 24 

1 5 . The Storm 25 

16. Dreams 26 

17. Unrest 27 

1 8. Memories 28 

19. The Sea 29 

20. The Coat Makes the man of To day 3° 

21. The Four Suns 3' 

22. Philosophy 33 

23. Passing Thoughts 33 

24. The Old Dress 34 



HUMOROUS. 

25. "Old Yaller." 36 

26. I Want my Balloon 39 

27. My Choice 40 

28. Wanted^A Wife 41 

29. Toot Yer Horn if You Don't Sell a Clam 42 

30. "Fll Bet Yer a Dollar." 44 

3 1 . Deacon Gray 45 

32. Big Injun 46 

33. A Woman's Explanation 47 



II O M i: V () E M s . 

PAGE. 

34. .Sonieljud)'^5 WaitiiiL; foi me 48 

35. The Old \Vife\s Song 49 

36. Going Home . . . 5*^ 

37. Illinois 5 ' 

jS. Love Commands All 53 

39. Nobody Cares i)ut Mother .55 

40. Betrayed 56 

41. To My Old Friends, 57 

42. If 58 

43. Lines {'/h „ Friend.) 59 

44. Lines 60 

45. God's Christmas liift '. . 61 

46. To a Child 63 

47. Bridal and Funeral I'low ers 64 

48. Under the Willow 65 

49. Lines. (On the Dcalh of a Child.) 66 

50. My Bud's Song 67 

5 1 . Footsteps on the Stair 68 

52. Lines to an Old Friend 69 

53. Only a Tress of Hair 70 



S F N r 1 M E N I A I. . 

54. The ( )men 71 

55. Perhaps 72 

56. Parted 73 

57. Trials.. 74 

58. Lines 75 

59. Remember Me 76 

60. Watching 77 

61. Discontent 78 

62. A Heart Song 70 

63. Drifting Apart . ^ 80 



R I-: L I G I (J US. 

64. Thy Will be Done 81 

65. Have Trust in God 82 

66. Resignation 83 

67. Submission 83 

()8. My Prayer -. .... 84 

69. Be Thou my Guide 85 



— 1^1 ■ — 

The Miner's PrategB 



' AL, you see it's a queer story, Missy, 

The little gal's none o' our kin; 
But you bet when the old men go under 

She's the one who Avill handle our " tin." 
My pard an' me's rough minin' fellers, 

We've got nary children nor wife; 
But we love little yaller-haired Nellie, 

An' we'll rear her up right, — bet yer life. 

How old ? Wal she's nigh eight I reckon, 

Five years since we brought her out here ; 
An' she was the cunninest baby 

We'd looked at for many a year. 
Yer see 'twas the time the Apaches 

Broke out. Blast the red imps o' sin! 
The emigrant train crossed their trail, Miss, 

An' the Injuns they scooped 'em all in. 

Yes, thar lay men, children an' wimmen ; 

The red imps had raised all their ha'r;. 
We couldn't do nothin' to help 'em, 

So my pard an' me buried them thar. 
Thar was one likely lookin' young cretur' 

Lyin' out from the rest of the heap; 
She was dead like the rest — an' poor Nellie 

Was close by her side fast asleep. 



10 DESCRIPTIVE. 



Wal, 'twas uigh ninety miles to the settlement; 

Bill an' me turned the thing in our mind, 
An' at last we concluded to keep her 

An' bring her up lovin' an kind. 
We buried her poor dad an' mammy, 

Likewise all their unlucky mates, 
An' we named her Nell, arter a sweetheart 

My pard had once, back in the States. 

But the trouble we had with that young un 

Was somethin' quite funny to see ; 
Bill give her up for a mystery. 

Likewise she was too much for me. 
Her durned duds, they wouldn't go on right. 

An' we cussed every button an' string; 
But arter a spell we did better, 

When we once got the hang o' the thing. 

An' she's growin' up pert-like an bloomin'; 

We take her to work every day, 
An' while Bill an' me's busy a minin' 

She'll sit on the rock pile an' play. 
An' she's made better men of us both, Miss, 

We don't cuss now, nor go on no spree; 
'Cause we're workin' an savin' for Nellie, 

The pride of my old pard an' me. 



DESCRIPTIVE. 11 



Right aaaU E^er Pre vail, 



HOUGH this world of ours seems upside down, 

And under falsehood's sway, 
I tell you, friends, there's coming soon 

A brighter, happier day. 
There'll be a time when truth and love 

Will rule o'er hill and dale. 
For a God of justice reigns above, 

And Eight will e'er prevail. 

Brothers, who trod the downward road 

Led on by fiendish rum, 
But have broken loose from his fatal grasp. 

And the upward path begun — 
Though shunned and doubted now by all. 

Do not o'er the past bewail : 
You will yet regain your lost estate. 

For Eight will e'er prevail. 

Sisters, who strayed from virtue's peal,. 

But have now turned back again. 
Press on ! for repentance, time and faith 

Will blot out the past's dark stain. 
Take heart ! Work on in your self reform. 

Your efforts will sure avail; 
For a God of Love doth watch above. 

And Right will e'er prevail. 

Yea, earnest labor with heart and brain, 

And the help of God will win-, 
And honesty, temperance, virtue, still 

Will rise above crime and sin. 
Then join hands in all the lands. 

And encourage the weak and frail ; 
Let them turn not back to sin's dark track, 

And may Truth and Right prevail. 



12 LESCRirTIVE. 



Thoughts in a Chnrch Yard, 



' ON mound by brightest flowers decked, 

Tells of a love not yet forgot; 
Of thoughts that ever backward turn 
From busy life to this lone spot. 

Like sea of living green outsjiread, 

By waving grass o'ergrown, ihis mound 

Reminds us of the bright fresh fields, 
Where nature's free, rich gifts abound. 

Yon sculptured marble, high and cold, 
A token seems of power and worth. 

Not so — a poor, weak hope it shows, 
To be remembered on the earth. 

Like blot upon a picture bright, 
This dark and bare unsodden spot 

So drear, and from the rest apart. 

Seems by the whole wide world forgot. 

Howe'er disguised beneath each mound, 

A hidden tenant ghastly lies, 
A stark and mouldering, shrouded form 

Is buried deep from human eyes. 



And so in life is man to man; 

We hear the jest, we see the smile. 
Unheeding that the fair ovitside 

Conceals a sorrow all the while. 

Some men are like the mound with flowers. 
Their lives seem full of bliss and light; 

Yet, 'neath the brilliant, gay outside. 
Is hid some thought their joy to blight. 



DESCRIPTIVE. 13 



And others, like the marble high, 

Conceal their minds 'neath pride and gold. 
But, ah ! The rich man's haughty soul. 

At times is filled with woe untold. 

And like the drear, unsodden spot, 

Is some poor, joyless human heart, 
Which, filled with sad and gloomy thoughts, 
. Seems fate-ordained to live apart. 

Yes, 'neath the careless look, each heart 
Conceals some scar, some stab, some burn, 

Or ruin of some cherished hope. 

To which the thoughts forever turn. 

And like the graves, the covering bright 
Seems free from cloud as summer's sky; 

Yet, like the graves, deep in each heart. 
The ashes of some image lie. 



Never Dilly-dally, 



HAT e'er you have to carry, friend. 
Don't loiter by the road, 
Nor sit and wait for some one else 

To lighten up your load. 
If you intend to climb life's hil], 

Don't loiter in the valley; 
But warning take in time, my friend. 
And do not dilly-dally. 

If you should love a lady fair 
And wish her for your bride; 

See that you speak your mind to her. 
Whatever mav betide. 



14 DESCRIPTIVE. 



Keep other suitors in the rear: 

Perchance if you do tarry, 
Some bolder heart will win her love, 

So, do not dilly-dally. 

If you're in debt and have the means 

To pay your creditor; 
Go while the money's in your hand, 

And send Debt from your door. 
You'll feel a richer man, my friend. 

Your views with mine will tally ; 
You'll say with me, 'tis always best 

To never dilly-dally. 

In short, whate'er you have to do. 

Do quickly and at once ; 
The man who stands and " hems and haws,' ' 

Is nothing but a dunce. 
Life's hill is steep — if you would climb 

Don't loiter in the valley; 
The winner in life's race is he 

Who does not dilly-dally. 



Phantnins, 



E phamtoms of the bviried j^ast. 

That rise athwart my path, 
Why come ye here your saddening gloom 

Across my soul to cast? 
Back to your haunts! I'm living now 

In light of the glad to-day; 
I weep no more o'er vanished joys; 

Back ! back, ye must not stay ! 



DESCRIPTIVE. 15 



Why linger ye with shadowy hands 

That point my memory back 
To crumbled idols, lying low, 

O'er the weary, trodden track; 
I close my eyes on your gloomy forms, 

And press on the upward way. 
I'll weep no more oyer vanished joys; 

Back ! back! Why do ye stay? 
And yet, alas, with your presence, comes 

A yearning, I know not why. 
To list to your plaintive, mournful tones, 

Though I pass so quickly by, 
I fain would live in the peaceful calm, 

And light of the glad to-day. 
I will not weep over vanished joys. 

Back— back— ye shall not stay! 

Why should 1 grieve and mourn and sigh 

Over things that once have been? 
I cannot better my kindest act, 

Nor lessen my greatest sin. 
So back to your haunts ye goblin things. 

And there in oblivion stay, 
I weep no more over vanished joys, 

I live in the glad To-day! 



Tn-iTiDrrnw", 



HE trees green-leaved through which the breeze 

To-day is softly blowing, 
The flowers that proudly rear their heads 

Beside the brooklet growing. 
Inhale their perfume, — note their grace, 

Nor thought of sadness borrow; 
Those flowers so fragrant, fresh and pure, 

May droop and die To-morrow. 



16 DESCRIPTIVE. 



Sweet child, beside thy mother's knee 

So innocent and smiling, 
With childish prattle, — baby wiles, 

Her every care beguiling. 
O clasp him mother Avhile you may! 

Shield his young life from sorrow; 
Thy boy, so bright and winsome now, 

Chill Death may claim To-morrow. 

Young wife, close by thy husband's side, 

So beautiful and charming, 
Thy j)ure, confiding, wnfely heart 

No fear of ill alarming. 
Smile while you may — love while you can, 

(God turn each poisoned arrow). 
The one you trust so fondly now^, 

Cold "change" may touch To-morrow. 

Yea, flowers and beauty, light and joy. 

Youth, talent, love and pleasure. 
The careless heart, the lovelit eye, 

Each fondly cherished treasure, 
Enjoy to-day, — another sun 

May bow thy soul in sorrow. 
And what you prize so dearly now, 

May all be gone To-morrow. 



And yet new forms spring up around. 

With life the dead replacing; 
The Present with its joys and cares. 

All else almost erasing, 
Keep fast thy hold on Faith and Hope, 

Nor yield to needless sorrow, 
The sky so dark with clouds to-day, 

May sunlit be To-morrow. 



DESCRIPTIVE. 17 



Learn tn "^alk iUnne 



|HIS world's a puzzle hard to solve, 

A riddle hard to read; 
And those who find life's path all bright 

Are precious few indeed. 
Yet don't despair though fortune frown, 

Nor murmur at your fate. 
Your aim in life by earnest toil. 

You'll sure win soon or late; 
But ^valk 712)0)1 your oim feet, friend, 

Don't trust to others strength 
To carry or to pull you up 

Life's hill of weary length. 
If e'er you hope to "make your mark," 

Or let your worth be known, 
Take all the props from under you 

And learn to walk alone. 

Men, who depend on borrowed gold 

To brighten up your name. 
And plead you must make such display, 

Your future wealth to gain ; 
Beware! "pay as you go" is best; 

Debt is an ugly foe. 
You cannot tell what hour the fiend 

Will strike a fatal blow! 
Sons! stand without your father's aid, 

Upon yourselves rely, 
Rich fruitage in the future lies, 

You'll win it if you try. 
Know that the "solid man" is he 

(In high or humble home). 
Who has no props to lean upon. 

But walks aloiia: alone. 



18 DESCRIPTIVE. 



What dn "we Live Far ? 



W 



HAT do we live for ? Is it to toil 

And hoard up wealth we can never use ? 
To labor on ever, day by day, 
Till our eye and cheek their lustre lose ? 
To turn our backs on life's joys and light, 
And concentrate all our thoughts to gain, 
Till our hair is gray and our step grows slow, 
And our body is racked with declining pain? 

What do we live for? Is it that we 
May rule or conquer our fellow-men? 
Or is it that we may pass our time 
In study of art or use of pen? 
And fill the dreamless hours of night 
With longings for what we cannot attain, 
Or to sacrifice all our youth's bright light 
For the poor and empty bauble, fame? 

What do we live for? Is it to be 
Despondent and saddened fore'er and e'er. 
To turn from the pleasant walks of life 
And choose for our part the toil and care? 
Is it for this, alas, that man 
Lives on, and on, through Time's long hours? 
Is it for this that He has formed 
Us after His image by His power? 

Not so ! O tired and brain- worn hordes 
In the city's heated and pent-up walls; 
O drop for a while your books and pens. 
Come listen how sweetly the wild bird calls! 
Come gaze upon Nature's features fair. 
Let her fan your brow with her perfumed breath ; 
Each day awhile with her sceues commune, 
And life of its care will be half bereft. ~ 



DESCRIPIIVE. 19 



A little of wealth will do us all, 
If we pay our way from day to day, 
And poverty is not bitter, friend, 
If we have our health and a heart that's gay. 
Enjoy on this earth its beauties rare, 
Death rings full soon for us all his knell ; 
And he who has gleaned the most of joy, 
Can truly say " He has lived life well ! " 



Push ilhead and Dnn^t DEspairi 



|OES your path look dark and gloomy? 

' Do your steps lag on the way? 
Are you weary, sad, disheartened 
At your trials every day ? 
Lift your head and pass on boldly, 
Fearless, face life's storms and care; 
Every soul must bear its troubles : 
Push ahead and don't despair. 

Do you toil to win an object 
Ear away from present view ? 
Does each day seem ever bringing 
Added care and toil to you ? 
If you do your very best, friend. 
Through all weather, foul or fair. 
Sure success will crown your efforts: 
Push ahead and don't despair. 

What's the use to sit repining 
O'er the ills we cannot mend? 
Don't give way to vain repining. 
Useless folly 'tis, my friend; ^^|^ 
Don't stand moping in the shadow. 
Step out where the sun shines fair, 
Though the stumbling-blocks are many, 
Pash ahead and don't despair. 



20 DESCRIl TIVE. 



Life's WnrkGrs, 



If you've incited fellow men 

To better acts and nobler deeds, — 
If yon have lent a friendly liand 

To help a poor man's many needs, — 
If you have Charity's silence kept, 

Nor added blot to tarnished name. 
But helped the weak one on his feet, — 

Be sure you have not lived in vain. 

If you have shown youthful minds 

The difference 'twixt right and wrong. 
Or helped to carry some one's load 

Of care Life's weary road along; 
If through your means some fallen one 

Shall turn back from her life of shame 
And, with God's help, live honestly, — 

Be sure you have not lived in vain. 

If you shall point the way to light 

To some dark, sad, discouraged heart, 
If e'er you strive to help the Right 

As in Life's scenes you take your part- 
Believe our God, whose searching eye 

Knows all our motives, acts and pain, 
Will not condemn His handiwork. 

Nor deem that you have lived in vain. 






DESCRIPTIVE. 21 



Ynur FnrtunE. 



Shall I tell your fortune ? Well, get the cards, 
A gypsy must have her cards, you know. 

Now, sit down there with attentive mien. 
Sit right doAvn opposite me — there — so ; 

I'll shuffle and cut and con the pack, 
And all I tell will be strictly true ; 

As I view the cards I will tell, my friend. 
What the dim, far future will bring to you. 

Your life will be checkered here and there 

With sunshine and shadow — a little rain. — 
If you use your talents and aim up high, 

You'll make an honored and noble name. 
If you work and save as you go along, 

And wrong no man (by the cards I'm told), 
You'll live a contented and peaceful life. 

And have wealth to spare when you grow old. 

You will love ( I am safe in saying that, 

For every one loves sometime in life ). 
If you woo her rightly^ou'll gain her heart, 

And make her your well beloved wife. 
If you treat her e'er as a partner dear, 

And are kind and patient (the cards now say). 
She'll be fond and tender and true to you. 

And be a good, faithful wife alway. 

You can gain a stand in the busy world 

By earnest, faithful and ceaseless toil ; 
You can ride on the crest of Life's wild waves — 

Or sink unseen in the turbid moil, 
The power's within you to drown or swim. 

To win wealth, laurels, friends, or lose them. 
The talents you have, — how much you gain. 
Depends entire on — how you use them. 



22 DESCRIPTIVE. 



Away with this folly, your " Fortune's " done, 

I've told you all in the future lies. 
As far as I can — for the coming years 

Are solemnly sealed from mortal eyes. 
Your future fortune your own hands hold, 

You can mold it just as you will, I say. 
Be sure, Tomorrow' 11 take care of itself 

If you do the best you can To-day. 



My ^ATisli, 



Let me be happy while I may, 

To me Life's sky looks clear to-day. 

Don't tell me if you know the sun 

Will shroud in clouds, e'er the day is done. 

Don't tell me, if the friends I love 

You know, in time, most false will prove. 

But let me dream and smile to-day, 

Let me be happy while I may. 

Perhaps the hands I love to clasp 
"Will smite me cruelly at last, 
Perhaps the lips I love to kiss 
With scorn will end my fancied bliss, 
Perhaps the smiles that beam on me 
Will prove to be hypocrisy, 
Yet do not tell me if you know, 
Don't warn me of the coming blow. 

But let me dream ! Life's joys are few. 
So let me fancy all are true. 
Time soon for me to weep may come, 
And bitter wrongs to me be done. 
Yet do not cloud my dreams to-day. 
These dreams that are so glad and gay, 
But let me think they'll ever stay. 
Let me be happy, while I may. 



DESCRIPTIVE. 23 



Rely Upon YnursElf, 



S YOU go forth in busy life 
And join in the ceaseless strife, 

To gain a little wealth, 
This caution I would give to you: 
True hearted friends are very few, 

Trust no one but yourself. 

You'll find that as a general rule. 
The world will make of you a tool 

For gain of paltry pelf. 
So when you form a goodly plan. 
Don't tell your thought to any man. 

But " run the thing" yourself. 

These so-called friends will often be 
Far from you, if adversity 

E'er robs you of your wealth. 
The truest friends in all the lands, 
You'll find are your hard-working hands. 
Rely upon yourself. 

So don't forget the motto, friend, 
If you into your life would send 

True cheerfulness and health; 
Eemember, he's the happiest man 
Who, 'mid all circumstances, can 

Eely upon himself. 



E#^ 



24 DESCIUFTIVE. 



DdE tn Night, 



I NIGHT ! O quiet night ! 

Bathed in the clear starlight, 
Bringing to weary souls 
Sweet rest and calm repose ; 
Casting o'er grass and flowers 

Bright, sparkling, dewy showers 
From heaven's pure cell. 

Thine is the stilly hour 

When those in trouble sore, 
And those who mourn their dead 
With sad, low bending head 
Find for their bitter grief. 

Transient, but sweet relief, 
Id sleep's calm spell. 

On thy soft winds, ascend 

Prayers from the saints, who bend 
Humbly at His great throne, 
AVhose mighty power alone, 
Can to the troubled heart 

Comfort and peace impart; 
And heaven at last. 

O night, thine is the hour, 

When my mind's mighty power, 
. Traces on swiftest wings 
All my life's wanderings; 
Bringing back unto me 

Plainly, the memory 
Of days long past. 



DESCRIPTIVE 25 



O niglit ! unto my breast 

Bring sweet forgetfulness ; 
Let not my mind e'er stray 
Back o'er youth's joyous way, 
Or pluck from past away, 

One brilliant, blissful day, 
Or careless hour. 

O night ! unto my heart 

Sweet, quiet peace impart; 
Teach my wild, roving thought 
To deem the past as nought. 
And lift my eyes above; 

Trusting in His great love 
And mighty power. 



The StDrm, 



TO-NIGHT the storm-king holds o'er earth his sway. 
The lightning flashes — the thunder roars, 
And from the lurid sky, so pitchy black, 
The rain in heavy torrents ceaseless pours. 

Fair Luna hides behind the heavy clouds, 
Her beams of shining limpid, silver bright 

And not a star lends to the gloomy scene 
Its ray of brilliant and mysterious light. 

Anon the dazzling lightning flash reveals 
The hill, the plain, unto my watchful eyes, 

Then vanishes the strange electric flash. 
Again the earth in solemn blackness lies. 

Rave on, O storm! thou suitest well my mind. 

Flash! lightning, flash! and let my longing eyes 
Dream that your glittering tracks are rays of light 

Shed from the opening gates of Paradise. 



2fi DE^CBIFTJVE. 



HrEanis, 



dreamt, 
'Twas of a garden rich with lovely flowers, 
Whose gaiidy hues and fragrance sweet and rare, 
Pilling the air, and o'er my senses stealing 
Like magic wild, beguiled my every care. 

I dreamt, 

'Twas of a tree whose limbs wild birds were filling; 

Their free, glad songs my sleeping soul enchanted, 
Their plumage gay the while my eye delighting 

As glimpse of heaven or land by fairies haunted. 

I dreamt, 

'Twas of a hall; bright lights were throwing 

Their lustre o'er a board with dainties spread; 
The woods, fields, sea, the vineyards, — all. 

To the rich hoard their choicest treasures sped. 

I dreamt, 

'Twas of a scene where wealth and pomp, 

In regal state their empty tokens flaunted; 
I saw in all that lordly crowd not one 

To whom the boon of happiness was granted. 

I dreamt, 

'Twas of a ball-room; nimble feet were gliding 

Over the floor, to music whose sweet measure 
Bewildered every sense, causing the heart to throb 

With joy delirious, lost to all but pleasure. 

I dreamt, 

It was of forms, whose lightest touch 

Filled me with rapture; Dream of joy! 
Then flowers and song and gilded hall of pride, 

All sunk to naught in bliss without alloy. 



DESCRIPTIVE. 27 



I dreamt, 

Their words were truth; ah, happy dream! 

That fled too soon, — like morning dew, 
Like mist before the sun away it sped, 

Like lightning flash or sunset's glorious hue. 

I dreamt, 

'Twas of an eye whose glance sought mine in love. 

My spirit answering to the look 
All else forsook; alas, the vision fled, 

Dreamland was gone and starting I awoke. 

I 'woke and found my garlands withered leaves; 

I 'woke and found my grain was empty sheaves; 
I 'woke and found my birds were birds of prey; 

I 'woke and found the music passed away. 

I wept to find of truth and love no token; 

I wept to find how lightly vows are broken; 
I wept to find my kind friends all had flown, 

I wept to find my bright hopes all o'erthrown. 

Ah dreams of beauty, song and light, 
And friends so true; ye come no more 

My soul to cheer; but through the gloom 
I onward look to heaven's bright shore. 



Unrest, 

Y mind to-night is not at rest. 
My spirit heaves within my breast, 
And almost seems to take its flight 
To yonder heaven so pure and bright. 
And soar beyond the stars. 



28 DESCRIPTIVE. 



My mind's keen eye can almost see 
The brilliant marvelous mystery, 
That holds within yon wondrous space 
Each whirling planet in its place, 

Through all Time's fleeting hours. 

My spirit seems to roam at will 
From planet unto planet, till 
At last the moon's clear shining beams 
Sink low beneath the silent streams, 
And naught of night remains. 

Then doth my spirit fold its wings 
And as the morning light begins. 
Worn with its toilsome wanderings, 
And restless, roving hoverings. 
Back to the earth return. 



MEITLDriES 



ITH the moonbeams round me streaming, 
In my chamber I sit dreaming. 

Dreaming of bright hopes o'erthrown ; 
And my spirit, sad and weary, 
Clings with feeling lone and dreary 

To the happy days long flown. 

All the world is wrapped in sadness ; 
Not a sound disturbs the stillness 

Save the sighing of the Avind, 
Whose low and mournful sobbing 
Softly calms my heart's wild throbbing, 

Gently rests my troubled mind. 



DESCRIPTIVE. 29 



And old mem'ries round me thronging, 
Fill my bosom with wild longing 

To live childhood's bright years o'er 
To tear out Life's written pages, 
And in scorn of wise old sages, 

Be a careless child once more. 

Bound me visions gather thickly 
Of the ones I loved so fondly, 

Of the ones so true and dear. 
And though their forms I see not, 
And their voices dear I hear not, 

I can feel their presence near. 

Thus my spirit sadly musing, 
All forgetfulness refusing. 

Lingers fondly o'er the past. 
Till my heart that throbs so wildly, 
And my thoughts so drear and lonely, 

Gentle slumber calms at last. 



The Sea, 



YOU may sing of the beauties of flowers and trees, 
Of the fresh, green woodland's mysteries. 
Of halls that resound with wit and mirth. 
Of wonders hidden deep in the earth ; 
You may sing their praises, but ah ! to me 
There is nothing so dear as the rolling sea. 

How wildly and madly the white waves play. 
How they fling and splash their brilliant spray; 
They come rushing in Avith a roaring tone. 
And then glide back with a sob, and moan; 
Nought of nature is half as dear to me 
As thou, O, tossing, restless sea. 



so DESCRIPTIVE. 



I love to sit on thy glittering sand, 
Or wander alone on thy sunny strand, 
And gather the pebbles and quaint, queer shells, 
Cast up from thy hidden, unknown cells. 
O, would I knew all thy mystery, 
O moaning, sobbing, sighing sea ! 

sea, as thy waves so memories come 
To me, of the days when gay and young, 

1 mingled (O happy time to me), 
'Mong those now severed far from me. 
Some in strange countries took their way, 
And others have gone to a brighter day. 

Roll on, O sea ! for far away 
Is my roving mind and heart to-day. 
Perhaps thy music can drive from me 
The grief for those I no more will see. 
So cheer my soul with thy sturdy roar. 
And 1 will think of the past no more. 



The Cnat makes the man nf tndayt 



[RHEEE'S many queer sayings we hear every day, 
*- And some are quite " stale," some are new; 

But the one I will mention in this little rhyme 

Is something, alas, that's "too true." 

No matter how gifted or worthy you be. 

As you hurry along on life's way. 

If seedy your clothes, you'll be slighted ahdscorned;, 

For the coat makes the man of to-day. 



DESCRIPTIVE. 31 



A man may be vile as the vilest can be; 

If he cloaks all his sin beneath gold, 

Now-a-days he is sought after, fawned on and praised, 

And looked up to by both young and old. 

While he legally plunders his poor fellow-men, 

Grinds the hearts of the poor day by day ; 

His wealth shuts the eyes of his friends to his crimes, 

For the coat makes the man of to-day 

Degenerate mankind, alas, cherish gold 

And fine clothes, more than virtue and brains; 

And the man who can spend out the most for display, 

The highest position attains. 

But the day will soon come when a man's honest worth 

Will stamp him — and people will say: 

" Give us honor and truth, and not tinsel and dross," 

Though the coat makes the man of to-day. 



The Four Sans. 



E was a laughing, bright-eyed merry boy. 

Who romped and played with heart so light and gay, 

With his young mates, while o'er the distant hills 

Shone warm the fading light of summer's day. 

Tne sunset tinted all the scene with gold. 

Yet all unheeded passed the glad hours by, 

Till at the homestead door his mother stands. 

And gazes on the scene with lovelit eye, 

And soon I hear her say, " Come home, my pet, 

'T is time my little boy was safe in bed — 

The sun has set." 



32 DESCRIPTIVE. 



The years roll by ; the boy to manhood grown, 
With bearded cheek and form erect and strong, 
Has singled out from loveliest womankind 
The one to cherish most through all life loiig. 
Implicit faith he places in her truth, 
Affection gives the holiest man can pay, 
Alas ! as time flies by he finds her false. 
His joy-crowned future passes slow away ; 
Heart-broken though he be, he knows not yet 
That from his life the brightest light has gone — 

Love's sun has set. 

Years still glide on among life's busiest throng. 
We find him now — Ambition rules his soul ; 
He strives 'gainst poverty, hate, malice — all — 
Works with a will to win the wished-for goal. 
Alas ! his step grows slow, his eyes grow dim. 
His idle liands hang listless by his side ; 
Into vice, drunkenness and shame 
He careless drifts upon life's changing tide ; 
His guardian angel's eyes with tears are wet, 
His warning voice is all unheeded now — 

Hope's sun has set. 

A few more years, and then an humble hearse 
Passes along the dusty, worn highway, 
Bearing away to rest and peace at last 
The poor, world-worn, spirit-broken clay. 
No funeral knell rings out upon the air. 
No mourners gather round the humble tomb ; 
' His friends, the few he had, are scattered far. 
Or else are careless what may be his doom. 
But in the great Hereafter he may yet 
-Find what he vainly sought on earth — 

Life's sun has set. 



DESCRIPTIVE. 33 



PMlDsnphy. 



JOMETIMES the cross we have to bear 
^ Seems far too heavy for our strength, 
And often do our footsteps lag 

Along life's path of weary length. 
Yet push ahead, the way will clear. 

These stumbling blocks must be withstood; 
And oft events that seem the worst 
Are very often for our good. 

Do friends betray the love you gave, 

And prove themselves of little worth ? 
Don't let that cloud your happiness, 

Nor banish from your heart the mirth. 
Your love was pure — your truth unstained. 

To them, not you, falls^nll the shame. 
You've learned a lesson, that is all; 

You know " the burnt child dreads the llame." 

Live in yourself, 'tis better far; 

For "friends " so often fail us now; 
Then stand alone and meet your fate 

With steady heart and fearless brow. 
Press on your way, the road icill clear, 

The storms of life must be withstood; 
You'll find events that seem the worst 

Are very often for our good. 



Passing thnughts 



ox SEEIXG A HANDSOME BOUQUET. 



FLOWEKS, sweet flowers. 
So fragrant and so fair. 
Whose perfume sweet is wafted on the air 
You charm my senses 
And delight my eye ; 

Why must you die ? 



34 DESCRIPTIVE. 



Bright, laugliing child, 
Whose dancing, fairy feet 

Trip by me now so merrily and neat; 
You, in whose heart 
Is happiness untold. 

Must you grow old ? 

O, maiden fair. 

Of beauty's fairest mould. 

Whose charms I view, so choice and manifold, 
'Tis sad to think, 
Bewitching, lovely maid, 

Your charms will fade ! 

Sweet thoughts 

God planted in our minds; 

Whose presence lightens up our cross in life; 

Remembrance of our loved, that like a sun, 

Shines on our hearts through all the world's 
Y'"e, while life lasts, [mad strife; 

And reason holds its sway, 

Pass not away. 



TtLE Did Dress, 



ELL, yes, it is " shabby," don't laugh at it, pray, 

Just fold it up neatly and put it away. 

Poor, worn-out dress! I will keep it fore'er, 

As I would a choice picture or lock of friend's hair. 

I will keep it and prize it through all life's strange changes, 

The dress that I wore when I earned my first wages. 

Poor " green " little girl ! I can smile now, you see. 
As the place and the scene in thought come to me, 
As with loud-beating heart I stood waiting my " cue," 
And trembled lest failure attend my " debut." 
Though greater acts now my attention engages, 
I prize the old dress that helped earn my first wages. 



DESCBIPIIVE. 35 



What labor it cost me you'll sure understand, 

When I say every part was made by my own hand. 

How I worried for fear the few charms I possessed 

Should not on that night appear at their best. 

Time flies. Since that night I have trod many stages, 

Yet I keep the old dress that helped earn my first wages. 

Poor faded old dress ! there all crumpled you lie, 

Your days of " utility " all have passed by. 

You seem an old friend ! " I am foolish," you say. 

Perhaps so ; yet carefully put it away. 

'Tis " useless," I know, but through life's busy changes, 

ril keep the old dress that helped earn my first wages. 




H6 HUMOROUS. 



"Did YallEr,'^ 



OK " BETTING MONEY ON THE WEONG DOG.' 



|HIS happened way out in the " diggins," 

An' Bill run a gin-shop out thar; 
He was sort o£ an onery customer, 

With a squint an' a shock o' red hair. 
He had an old dog he called " Yaller," 

Bill said he was great on the fight; 
But Lord ! we thought he was lyin,' 

Or talkin' because he was tight. 

But it seems Bill, over in England, 

Was a "dog fightin' man," as they say, 
An' that this here mean-lookin' old " Yaller," 

Had licked every dog in his way. 
He was a meek lookin' old cretur'. 

He'd "make-up" with the men old an' young, 
But a rale rip-tarer when started. 

As you'll see when my story is done. 

One day a young chap struck the "diggins," 

He was travelin' on to New York 
With a bull-purp — could lick a hyena — 

To believe all his long-winded talk. 



HU310B0US. 37 



Durn my skin, but his clog was a stunner, 
Trim an' stout, iron- jawed an' red-eyed; 

An' none on us doubted the cretur 

Could show rale game fight when he tried. 

Wal, this chap an' his dog was one mornin' 

Sort o' loafin' around nigh Bill's bar, 
AVhen old "Yaller" came trottin' in meek-like, 

(He alius was sneakin' round thar); 
The bull purp started for " Yaller," 

But the New York chap collared his pup. 
And hollered out, " Shut vly> that dorg thar. 

If you don't want him total chawed up." 

" You see this dorg's trained for a fighter, 

An' when he sees dorg, black or white. 
He'll pitch in, if 1 ain't a watchin', 

An' chaw the same dorg out of sight. 
I'd hate like the devil to have him 

Kill that good-natured old dorg o' yourn. 
But keep him tied up while I'm here, Bill, 

Or he's gone dorg sure as you're born." 

Bill grinned, then he said, "why, old 'Yaller,' 

He's no good — all the time in the way, 
'Spose we have a dorg-fight in the bar-room. 

Come stranger, what do you say. 
An' to make the thing sort o' excitin' 

As ' Yaller's' my dorg, I'll just bet 
One hundred, he, in ten minutes, 

Will clean out yer prize-fightin' pet." 

" Poor ' Yaller,' " says Bill, sort o' soft-like, 
"Yer time has most come for to die," 

An' "Yaller" looked up — tail a waggin'. 
With a kind o' sly wink in his eye; 



38 HUMOROUS. 



An' Bill hollered out, " come on in boys, 
Come an' see this 'ere prize-fightin' pup, 

( We must have some little excitement), 
So, he's goin' to chaw ' Yaller ' up." 

Wal we come in, each man held his dorg thar; 

Old " Yaller " was snarlin' like mad, 
An' you bet the bull-purp was a snappin' 

A lookin' most all-fired bad. 
At the word the dorgs met — in a minnit 

" Yaller " had the prize dorg by the throat, 
An' he shook, an' he chawed, never givin' 

The bull-purjD a chance for a holt. 

An' he shook till the purp " kicked the bucket," 

Then he trotted quite cool like away 
As if he'd done nothin' uncommon. 

But chawed up bull-purps every day ; 
An' Bill gobbled up the bet money, 

Smilin' like at the defunct bull-purp. 
An' says he, ''Who else here's got a dorg now 

That wants to chaw old 'Yaller' up?''' 

The city chap sneaked off quite quiet. 

An' left for New York the next day; 
Old " Yaller " is trottin' around yet. 

Quite innercent-like in his way; 
Bill's jolly as ever — an' boastin' 

An' braggin' about his old purp, 
An' never^gets tired a tellin', 

How the prize dorg chawed old "Yaller " up. 






HU3WE0US\ 39 



^'I Want my Ballnnn, 



S I walked down the street one bright sunny day, 

A comical sight met my gaze; 
A scene that for mixture of sorrow and fun, 

Will haunt me through all of my days. 
On the walk stood a child, who with "Injun-like" yells 

Of dismay, stared up to the sky, 
Where a tiny, red object was floating away 

And fast growing dim to the eye. 
As nearer I came he loudly bawled out, 

" I don't want to lose it so soon, 

please catch it quickly! O make it come back! 
I want my nice, pretty balloon!" 

" Little lad," then I said, " it will never return; 

Why did you let go of the string? 
Pray did you not know when you loosened your hold, 

Your plaything would surely take wing?" 
"Why ma'am," sobbed the child, " I thought it would stay 

And float close above me, until 

1 wearied of watching it bob up and down, 
And could draw it back to me at will. 

O, won't you please stop it? it's floating away! 

I don't want to lose it so soon! 
O somebody catch it! it's going so fast! 

Do stop my nice, rosy balloon!" 



/-i 



Ah! many there be in this world's busy throng 
Who held in their hands the frail string 

That bound to themselves wealth, laurels or love, 
Or some other valuable thing. 

But alas ! like the child, they loosened their grasp, 
Perhaps merely testing their power, 



40 HUMOEOUS. 



But realized too late what their recklessness wrought, 
As they watched it soar 'bove them so far; 

Then frantic they strove their hold to regain, 
But too oft 'tis humanity's doom. 

To, by their ownfoUij, lose what they prize most, 
And then cry for their vanished balloon! 

4 



My ChDicE 



BY A GIKL OF THE PERIOD. 



"^^D HAVE a lover brave and true, 

A fond adorer ever; 
Who'll woo me with untiring zeal, - 

And be inconstant never; 
Who'll boldly seek and gain u y hand, 

And "bounce " each other "feller," 
AVho if a rival dared approach. 
Would hit him on the " smeller." 

I'd have him have a heart and soul 

O'erflowed with truth and daring, 
Who knew his rights and claimed them too, 

Without a shade of fearing; 
Who'd ever press his earnest suit 

With honest, manly spirit; 
Who'd want my love, and dare to strive 

Before all men to win it. 

Some girls would like a handsome chap, 
Who brings them rings and candy ; 

Some like a man with lots of "tin,"^ 
And some could love a dandy. 



HUMOROUS. 41 



Some like a timid chap who e'er 
'Twixt hope and fear doth hover, 

But none of these could suit my mind, 
I want a dashing lover. 

He need not be so very rich, 

If he do love but me, 
And does not flirt with other girls 

When I'm not near to see; 
If such a fellow breathes on earth 

On him my heart is set. 
And when I catch a sight of him 

I'll "set my cap" you bet. 



WantEdi R "wife 



BY A BACHELOR. 



m WHAT the cold world calls a "bach," 

I'm looking for a wife, 
Some gentle and obedient girl, 

To bless my lonely life ; 
I've waited now for forty years 

But never met my doom, 
And so to-day I advertise, 

In hopes to find her soon. 

I have a span of splendid grays, 

A "nobby" carriage too. 
Have lots of "stamps," — am 5 ft. 6 — 

Kind, generous and true. 
But, to all widows seeing this, 

I herewith do imply. 
That I abhor all "relics," so 

No widows need apply! 



42 nU3I0R0US . 



And to old maids both tall and short, 

I solemnly do state, 
That I would sooner die, than have 

A spinster for my mate; 
Their fate waits toward the setting sun, 

They'll please the men there best, 
To spinsters, I (like Greeley) say, 

"Go west," old girls, "go west." 

I want a lovely, sprightly miss 

Of eighteen years, or less, 
With raven hair and eyes of jet, 

And greatest taste in dress; 
She must be learned and rich — to such 

A willing slave am I, 
And here I say to one and all, 

No others need apply. 



(( 



Tnnt yer Hnrn if yau dnn^t sell a Clam 



HILE on a trip to Baltimore, 

That city grand on Chesapeake's shore, 

I met a man upon the pier, 

('Mong other venders standing near^) 

With clams his cart was loaded down, 

(A peddler he about the town.) 

"Good man," said I, "how many hours 

Will it take to sell that load of yours?" 

He turned and said, "Well I don't know, 

Whether I'll sell 'em fast or slow. 

Life is a sort of game of 'grab,' 

An' notliin' venture, nothin' have, 

I'll do mij best as sure as you're born, 

I'll go around an' toot my horn 

If I don't sell a clam!" 



HUMOROUS. 43 



He drove away; his horn's clear(?) swell 

Told far and near he'd clams to sell; 

"Toot! toot! clams! c-1-a-m-s!" I heard him call, 

"Here's nice fresh clams for great and small." 

"Toot! clams!" he called from street to street, 

To all whom he would chance to meet. 

I watched him drive out of my sight, 

Yet still I heard his voice of might 

Yell "clams! clams! clams!" I smiled to see 

The honest fellow's earnest zeal. 

I sauntered on with careless tread, 

And still those words rang in my head, 

"I'll do my best as sure as you're born, 

I'm goin' 'round to toot my horn 

If I don't sell a clam!" 

I learned a lesson from that man, 
I honored his hard-working plan, 
I pray you take it home likewise. 
Despondent souls with heavy eyes 
"Brace up," that's slang I know, but true. 
And good advice for me and you. 
Don't sit and loaf on life's curbstone, 
While others pass you're left alone. 
"Git up and git," don't waste your time, 
Life's choicest prizes may be thine; 
Good luck awaits both rich and poor. 
Go round and hunt — you'll find it sure. 
Don't sit complaining so forlorn. 
Go rush around and "toot your horn" 
If you don't sell a clam. 



44 HUMOROUS. 



Ill BEt Yer a Enllar/' 



IS strange how betting is "coming in style," 

All bet, both the great and the small, 
And precious feAV people we meet noAv-a-days 

Who do no betting at all. 
"I'll bet you a dollar" 's the favorite sum now. 

So I'll "fall in" and "follow in line," 
And bet with the rest as my pen scribbles off 

This simple and rough little rhyme. 

If you meet a man who is "seedy" and poor, 

And not got a cent to his name. 
If you reach out your hand and help him along, 

Once more independence to gain, 
When he gets a firm stand by your liberal aid, 

i\.nd is well up Prosperity's hill, 
He may vow that your kindness he'll never forget, 

But, "I bet yer a dollar " he will. 

A young gentleman escorts a young lady home 

From a party or ball as may be. 
And stops at the gate for a moment or so. 

And longs for a kiss, — do you see? 
If he snatch one the lady may hurry away 

With the look of a much injured saint, 
And vow " she's insulted " and " terribly vexed ! " 

But " I bet yer a dollar " she ain't. 

An old bachelor sits in his dingy old room, 

With a scowl on his crabbed old face ; 
With no children to prattle around his hearth-stone, 

And no kind wife his table to grace. 
He may sneer at young couples, and call them "poor fools. 

Laugh to scorn each proud, happy young " dad;" 
He may swear he is pleased with his bachelor state, 

But "I'll bet yer a dollar" he's sad. 



HUMOROUS. 45 



But I'll close now my silly and strange little verse, 

And afflict the kind reader no more, 
If indeed anybody has patience enough 

To con these rude sentences o'er; 
Don't find fault, I pray, nor ask " where' s the sense 

Of this rambling poem( ?) or rant ;" 
Don't insist that the meaning to you I make plain, 

For "I bet yer a dollar" I can't. 



neacnn G-ray, 

|LD Deacon Gray Avas as mean a man 
As I've seen for many a day; 
He'd steal and lie for the sake of a dime, 
And rob all who came in his way. 
He'd steal the cents from a dead man's eyes, 
Yet loud would he cant and pray. 
" So much ahead," he'd say to himself 
As he hoarded the pennies away. 

Yet Deacon Gray was a " pious " man, 

He was member of church and choir, 

Though he starved his children and wife — and beat 

His poor laborers out of their hire. 

He stole a cow from his neighbor's herd — 

Stole wood from his neighbor's pile. 

"So much ahead," said Deacon Gray, 

" I'll be rich in a little while!" 

Well, Deacon Gray he died one day. 

Like the rest of poor human race, 

And his soul went out of its case of clay. 

And soared to unknown space. 

The Devil met him with leer and grin. 

For the Devil's heart was gay, 

" I'm a soul ahead. Come on, ha ! ha ! " 

Said the Devil to Deacon Gray. 



46 nrMoEors. 



"Big Injun, ^^ 

ME came and sat by our camp fire 
With a savage's proud disdain. 
He was gaudy with paint and feathers, 
" Big Eagle " was his name. 
I asked him to tell of his exploits, 
Of deeds that gained him his fame. 
And he folded his blanket about him, 
And began in the following strain: 

" Me Uncle Sam's good Injun, 

Me big chief of Cheyenne ; 

Me steal — ine cuss — drink firewater, 

All same like pale face men ; 

Me got me squaws heap plenty, 

Pappooses me got nine; 

Heap much good grub and blankets, 

Have heap much bully good time ; 

Nine moons me go on war-path, 

Kill much — steal ponies heap; 

By by Injun tired out fighting, 

Uncle Sam send coffee — bread — meat — 

Then Injun go back to wigwam — 

Much cold — ground all over snow. 

When summer-time come, then me fight more; 

Then me go to Washington*^ maybe so 

Uncle Sam forget 'bout Injun, 

No send 'nough coffee — bread — meat, 

Then Injun him kill a-U soldiers. 

Burn ranch — scalp — steal — much heap. 

Now all time me good Injun ; 

Big Eagle great chief — no lie — 

Me got good grub and blankets — 

Uncle Sam — bully boy — glass eye." 

* It is the ardent wish of most of the chiefs of the difiTerent reservations to 
Btnt on to Washington. 



HUMOEOUS. 47 



O ravers o'er pitiful stories 

Of the " poor persecuted red men," 

If you want to be cured of your folly, 

Come and gaze on the noble (?) Cheyenne. 



A Waman's Explanatinni 



ELL, yes, I did go walking 
On yesterday with Jim, 
But, Jack, you know, he's but a friend, 
You needn't care for him. 
We walked down in the woodland, 
The bird's sweet songs to hear. 
He squeezed my hand — but — but — I fancied 
He was you, my dear. 

Last week we went out sailing, 

A few miles down the bay ; 

I went to help pass time, dear Jack, 

While you were far away. 

His arm got round my waist. 

But how, I never can make clear; 

He — kissed me once — but— but — I fancied 

He ivas you, my dear. 

There now ! he's gone ! and angry too ! 

What have I said that's wrong? 

He thinks when he's away, I should 

Sit grieving all day long ! 

" I flirt ? " " I false ! " Well, I declare, 

I'll spoil his little plan ! 

Ill never speak to him again, 

The wretched, jealous man. 



48 HOME POEMS. 



MA m 



SomEbady's Waiting for itle 



HEN the sunlight slowly fading, 

Proclaims the dying day, 
And across the fields and meadows 

I homeward take ray way, 
Just down the turn in the pathway 

'Neath the shade of that old oak tree, 
There's somebody, mild and gentle, 

Who watches and waits for me. 

She stands in the waning sunshine, 

With the lovelight in her eye. 
And her wind-swung tresses floating 

O'er a cheek of crimson dye. 
With a smile of joyous welcome 

To meet me she gaily trips, 
And a tender kiss awaits me 

From somebody's loving lips. 

I name not her age or station, 
If humble or proud she be. 

But of all the heaven -given treasures 
TJie dearest and best is she. 



HOME POEMS. 49 



Too kind for a thought of evil, 

E'er willing my cares to share, 

The queen of my heart's deep centre 
Is she who is waiting there. 

So whatever of ill befall me, 

Through the weary and tedious daj^ 
As the evening shadows lengthen. 

And I homeward take my way, 
My heart and my step grow lighter 

As I near that old oak tree, 
For I know that my darling's watching 

And waiting to welcome me. 



TtLE DldWlfE^s Snng, 



W 



E'llE a jolly old couple, our hair is gray, 
But never a mite care we. 
Our lifeboat drifts on Time's tranquil tide. 

And from trouble and care we're free. 
Our steps are slow and our frames are bent, 

There's a mist o'er our dim old eyes, 
Yet cheerful we travel, hand in hand, 

'Neath pleasant or stormy skies. 
Many long years we've journeyed on. 

And the end we can almost see ; 
But we're ready to go when the Master calls, 

My dear old man and me. 



Seventy years we struggled on, 
Our trials were not a few. 

We raised our family best we could 
Till each boy into manhood grew; 



50 H03IE P0E3IS. 



Then they turned away from the threshold worn, 

Afar through the world to roam, 
Till the last loved one had passed away 

From the silent and lonesome home. 
Three wedded the mates that their young hearts chose; 

Two travel the restless sea; 
So we live in the old house all alone, 

My dear old man and me. 

We chat o'er the scenes of our youthful days, 

And we laugli right merrily 
As we sit in the evening's quiet glow, 

O'er our cups of fragrant tea. 
For love dies not like the soft, dark trees. 

Or the color of cheek's bright glow; 
And our hearts are just as warm to-day 

As they were long years ago. 
Together we stand on the mystic shore 

Of eternity's solemn sea, 
And we trust we will safely cross to Him, 

My dear old man and me. 



&ning HnmE. 

^OING home ! How strange it sounds to me! 

I I who for years have roamed o'er land and sea, 
So long have clasped no hands save stranger's hands, 
So long made transient " homes" in foreign lands 
I scarce can realize all the word implies. 

Going home ! for rest and peace, I say. 
Back to the place where first I saw the day. 
Shall I indeed my old friends' faces see? 
Will they indeed in triie faith welcome me? 
Or shall I find, alas ! afi"ection dies? 



HOME POEMS. 51 



Going home ! I wonder if the flowers 
Are still as fragrant as in childhood's hours. 
I wonder if the old tree's standing yet, 
Beneath whose shade I've watched the grand sunset 
Gilding the rolling prairies of the west. 

Going home ! I eagerly return 
Back to the hearth where dearest home-fires burn. 
Though friends forget or fail to recognize, 
Upon the scene I'll gaze with loving eyes, 

My home — the spot on earth I love the best. 



lUinDis. 

CAN hear the bells a-chiming. 

Bells that ring so loud and gay, 
Yet my thoughts to-day turn backward 

To my home so far away. 
Round me flowers bud and blossom. 

Softest Southern breezes blow ; 
Though 't is Christmas' joyous morning, 

Yet I see no frost or snow. 
I can hear the Spanish lady 

Chant her strange, yet lovely tune; 
Near my window are magnolias. 

And the orange's perfume, 
Yet my northern heart is restless — 

Longings wild my scul annoy, 
And I'd rather see the snow gleam 

On the plains of Illinois, 

I have crossed the grand old " Rockies," 

With their snow-capped heads so high, 

Gazed down in their rugged bosoms. 
Where the miners' treasures lie ; 



52 HOME POEMS. 



Roamed o'er Kansas — Colorado, 

(Beauteous "Switzerland of the West,)" 
Watched the turbid Eio Grande 

Rushing on in wild unrest ; 
Crossed the Gila — Brazos — Pecos — 

Gleaming rivers pure and bright ; 
Watched the Indians as they gathered 

Round their camp-fire's cheerful light ; 
Plucked the loveliest southern blossoms, 

Perfiimed sweet, without alloy, 
Yet I'd rather have a violet 

From the plains of Illinois. 

Wonder not my heart turns backward 

From these bright but stranger scenes; 
That I'm longing for the prairies, 

With their placid, gliding streams ; 
That I choose from out her sisters 

Illinois to love the best, 
And that none like her can ever 

Hold first place within my breast. 
Mountains, valleys, caves and canyon. 

Perfumed air, bewildering song. 
Though they ^\i\\ me for a moment, 

Do not claim my homage long. 
I will tell you now the secret 

Why I thus these scenes disown — 
As a child I roamed the prairies, 

And Chicago is my home. 




H03IE FOE3IS. 53 



Ldve CDirnnands illL 



[HERE came to a laughing country maid, 

One beautiful summer's day, 
A fairy who bent at her tiny feet, 

And in accents sweet did say: 
"Thy merits so please our fairy queen, 

She has now commissioned me 
To give thee the choice of four noble gifts, 

Which I now will name to thee. 
Thus spake my queen: ' Doth she wish for gold, 

Or honor, or love, or fame. 
Say I will send her of these four things 

Whichever she choose to name.' 
But ponder well ere thou choose, dear maid, 

For whatever your choice shall be, 
You must cling to it through all of life 

And lose the other three." 

The maiden paused and a troubled shade 

Came over her featiires fair; 
" 'Twould be fine," she mused, "to have the gold 

With those I love to share; 
But wealth alone could ne'er supjjly 

The wants of this heart of mine, • 
I can ]iot — dare not lay my all 

At Mammon's gorgeous shrine ; 
And fame and honor by such as I 

Are held but in light esteem; 
AVe value more the woods — the flowers. 

And the sun's warm shining beam; 
The pets of the world's loud praising crowds 

Oft carry a heavy heart, 
x\.nd for peace of mind and health and joy 
With laurels would gladly part." 



54 n03lE P0E3IS. 



"And love — " her cheek flushed a deeper hue, 

And a soft light in her eye 
Shone forth with a brilliant joyous flash, 

That rivaled the sunlit sky, 
"I have pondered well o'er my choice, dear Fay, 

And I'll take of thy queen's gifts free, 
The one I deem will in future years 

Prove the dearest and best to me. 
I choose that I ever may be beloved 

By those whom my heart holds dear, 
And that Love and I may never part, 

Through all of my journey here." 
Quoth the fairy, "Thy choice is the richest one 

That is e'er to mortals given, 
For a loving heart that's beloved again, 

Finds the earth almost a heaven!" 

Then the light-winged fairy sped away 

To her home in the shady glade. 
And told her queen of the treasure chose 

By the heart of the lovely maid. 
Quoth the queen: " 'Tis well with the guileless girl. 

Ho! Fairies! I charge thee, flee! 
And carry to her not love alone. 

But also the other three!" 




HOME POEMS. 



Nnhndy CarES "but Mntheri 



^ULL many changes old Time lias wrought 

In my life, so strange — eventful ; 
And few I find who cheer me on, 

But many I find who censure. 
And where'er I go, and whene'er the clouds 

O'er my troubled pathway hover, 
I find it still, as in childhood's hours, 

That nobody cares but mother. 

If the thorns pierce deep my way-worn feet, 

And no resting-place to cheer me 
Doth greet my eye, and my voice falls dead 

On ears that refuse to hear me. 
How quickly my strength doth seem renewed, 

And light all my path doth cover ; 
Ah ! how speedy the cross that I bear grows light 

By a cheering word from mother. 

Yes, friends of to-day may be kind and true, 

And love me pure — sincerely; 
But no love on earth can e'er replace 

This which I prize so dearly. 
And when my journeyings all are o'er, 

My sole wish is no other 
Than that kindly Fate will take me back 

To my childhood's home and mother. 



56 HOME POEMS. 



Betray Ed, 

|E was of proud and high descent, 
■■ She was a peasant maid. 
She loved too well, alas ! alas ! 

A heavy price she paid. 
O sob ye winds, with solemn tone; 

Sun, hide thy face from sight. 
For she, so beautiful and fair. 
Is dying with thy light! 

O, b'^ight and sparkling was her eye. 

With lips of rosy red, 
A face as fresh as yonder flower, 

And raven-curl crowned head ! 
So wan, so feeble lies she now; 

Birds ! hush thy warblings gay; 
Her lovely eyes will close for e'er 

Before another day ! 

A sad-eyed mother watches o'er 

Her daughter's fading life; 
She is her flrst-born still, 

Although a mother, but no wife. 
She loved — she trusted — was deceived- 

On her life fell the blight; 
Aye, whisper low, ye sobbing winds, 
For she will die to-night. 

Clasp her hands o'er her bosom calm ; 

Brush smooth her silken hair ; 
Place her dead baby on her breast. 

And kiss her brow so fair. 
God knoweth all — He knoweth all 

The wiles her love that won. 
At peace at last ! poor hapless girl ! 

Thy earthly cares are done. 



H03IE POEMS. 

Ta My Uld Friends. 

TEUE old friends ! O kind old friends, 
' Dear friends I loved of yore, 
Your memory dwells within my heart, 

As I roam from shore to shore. 
I've traveled far 'mid splendid scenes, 

O'er mountain, hill and dell. 
And many hands I've clasped in mine 

That knew and loved me well. 
But new found friends supplant you not. 

Ah ! still where e'er I roam, 
My heart holds fast the mem'ry of 

Dear friends who are at home. 

Come clasp my hands, ye honest friends, 

That knew me from a child; 
With whom so often merrily 

I weary time beguiled. 
I love to feel the fervent press 

Of your dear hands again, 
I long to hear your voices loved 

Call once again my name. 
Time brings great changes to all lives. 

But, 'till my days are o'er,^ 
My heart will hold a tender spot 

Eor my dear old friends of yore. 



57 






58 H03IE P0E3IS. 



If. 



fF I could only dream again 
»■ The glad, bright dreams of long ago, 
And tear from mem'ry's full writ page 

The scenes and deeds I so well know; 
If I could only feel again 

That honest trust in human kind, 
And drive the doubt and weary pain 
From out luy tired, world-worn mind; 

If this cmzld be methinks whate'er 
Unto my lot might then be sent, 

I'd bear with uncomplaining heart, 
And 'mid all trials be content. 

Friends of my youth ! return, return ! 

Kind friends of yore ! come clasp my hand 

leave me not alone to toil 
O'er life's wild, rugged land ! 

Yain is my call. Their faces loved 
The scenes of earth no longer know; 

Deep with my youthful dreams they're hid 
Within the grave of long ago. 

1 hurry on. Few, few I meet 

Can to my heart give answering tone, 
And when 'mid gay and careless crowds 
'Tis then I am the most alone. 






H03IE POEMS. 59 



LinEs 



TO A FEIEND. 



THINK of me, 

Though now our barks upon life's troubled sea 
Shall drift apart. Though it may chance to be 
That never more as in the pleasant past 
Our paths shall side by side again be cast. 
Yet, whatsoe'er may be thy future lot. 

Forget me not. 

Remember me, 
And if thou findest that the new found friends 
Prove like a reed in every wind that bends, 
O then bethink thee of the one afar, 
Whose love shines o'er thee like a watching star. 
Whose fondest thoughts are centered all on thee. 

Where'er thou be. 

But, dearest one. 
If thou art beset by life's relentless storms. 
If friends prove false ; if thy lone spirit mourns, 
And footsore, heartsick you would fain find rest 
Upon a loving and a faithful breast; 
If e'er (which God forbid) such time should bo 

Haste unto me. 




60 H031E POEMS. 



Lines , 

ON HEAEING A GENTLEMAN SAY THE SPIRIT OF HIS DEAD WIFE SEEMED 
ALWAYS NEAK HIM. 



'HE is not dead. 

' I feel, I know that she is ever near, 
Her loving tones still ring upon my ear. 
And cheer my soul as in the days of yore, 
And though on earth I ne'er shall see her more, 
She has not tied. 

Her soul lives still. 
It lingers ever round my onward way, 
"With its pure presence blessing every day. 
Beloved wife ! her faith and constancy, 
And her deep love, and confidence in me 

Death could not kill. 

Her graceful frame, 
Whose presence filled with joy my happy home. 
Is hid from view, and I am left alone. 
But still her gentle spirit comes to me. 
And thus, despite the grave's dark mystery, 
She lives again. 

So on in life 
I journey with a cheerful, thankful heart. 
And humbly bear of toil and care my part. 
Soon will I clasp her cherished form once more. 
Soon will I meet upon yon blissful shore 
My angel wife. 






HOME POEMS. 61 



G-nd^s Christmas G-ifti 



^mWAS Christmas day, 
-*- The pure snow lay 
Deep over the slumbering, silent earth; 
While all around 
Was heard the sound 
Of innocent, careless, heartfelt mirth. 

By rushed a throng, 

With laugh and song, 
Of schoolgirls chatting of Christmas cheer; 

Unheeding one 

Who, pale and young. 
And empty handed, lingered near. 

As they passed away, 

With hearts so gay, 
I turned to the maiden standing near. 

And gaily said. 

As she raised her head, 
*' Well, what did Santa bring you, dear?" 

Her dark brown eyes 

Looked their surprise, 
As she said, " O Miss, we are but poor; 

We deem it wealth, 

If perfect health 
And food are plenty within our door. 

" So, Miss, you see 

That such as we 
Are well content these toys to spare. 

I covet not 

A richer lot. 
Of greater treasures I have a share. 



62 HO^TEFOFMS. 



" For one above 

In gracious love, 
This day to me has kindly given 

A pleasure rare, 

A gem most fair, 
It is the Christian's hope of Heaven. 

" Last night so plain 
This message came, 
' For thee was Jesus crucified. 
He reigns above, 

trust his love. 

And He will be thy refuge — guide." 

Her eyes were raised 

To meet my gaze, 
As she said (I still her image see), 

" He died for me, 

Low as I be, 
Christ was God's Christmas gift to me." 

1 bowed my head, 
No word I said, 

A lesson deep in my heart was laid. 

O would that I 

Could look on high. 
With the trust and faith of that little maid! 



•^■-v I i, - ^,^, (-Sf^j?;?)!.^ ^' 



HOME POEMS. 83 



Td a Child, 



EIGHT, liajDpy childish face, 
That beams with fairy grace. 
Loved one so dear; 
Thy little dancing form, 
Eesplent with baby charm, 
Sheds sunshine here. 

That little rosy palm. 
And snowy, dimpled arm, 

And brow so fair, 
Seems formed to bless the earth. 
And change to happiness 

The darkest care. 

Thy voice so sweet and clear. 
And tiny feet e'er near. 

And loving heart; 
Unto my troubled breast. 
So full of wild unrest, 

Sweet calm impart. 

Dear child in thee I find 
One who with constant mind, 

Loves me alone; 
Whose lisped words are truth. 
Whose thoughts of honest youth 

Are all my own. 



'A V 



64 EOME POEMS. 



Bridal and Fnnsral Flnwers. 



^^1|EIDAL and funeral flowers." 
^ Those were the words it bore, 
Shining in letters bright, 
Over the florist's door. 

" Bridal and funeral flowers," 

Coupling thus as one 
The bride and the cold, stiff corse. 

Whose race of life is run. 

One who will soon go forth 

A happy trusting wife. 
And one who in Death's calm sleep 

Is safe from the cares of life. 

As I read the words I think 

'Tis in white they robe the bride. 

When she stands in modest grace 
By her chosen husband's side. 

And in white they clothe the corse, 
While the cold, pale hand, perchance, 

Hold the mate to the bridal flower, 
Perhaps from the self same branch. 

" Bridal and funeral flowers," 
Blooming there side by side, 

To be placed in the dead's cold hand, 
Or twined in the hair of the bride. 

"Bridal and funeral flowers." 
Happiness — death and gloom. 

Written thus side by side, 
Life — and the dark, cold tomb. 



H03IE POEMS. 65 



But who is the one to tell 
Which is most truly blest? 

The bride in her youthful pride, 
Or the one who is safe at rest? 



Undsr tliB Willnw, 



INDER the willow I stand to-night,^ 
^ And the stars above shed solemn light 

O'er the scene I have come to view once more, 

Ere I leave forever my native shore. 

Under the willow I stand and gaze 
On the ruined home of my youthful days; 
What vanished bliss my heart recalls, 
As I look on the stained and crumbled walls. 

Within that home I was born and bred ; 
There sounded my sisters' and brothers' tread. 
In that home was spent the happy years 
Ere I faced the world with its toil and fears. 

Within its walls died, one by one, 

The loving parents, the children young ; 

And I alone, am left to gaze 

On its ruined walls, 'neath the stars calm rays. 

Can all these years have passed ? It seems 
But a day, when amid these remembered scenes ; 
Though my eye then bright, is dimmed now, 
And deep, dark wrinkles mark my brow. 

Home, churchyard willow ! I leave you all ; 
Those long past years I cannot recall ; 
The pain it costs me I cannot tell, 
To turn away with a sad farewell. 



66 H03IE POEMS. 



Lines 



ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD. 



EAKLY loved one, tliou hast vanished, 
Thy bright baby form has perished; 

Thou art now beyond the stars. 
Never more we'll hear thee singing. 
With thy voice so clear and ringing ; 

Mem'ry only now is ours. 

Though my heart is full of sadness, 
And my life seems void of gladness, 

Since thy childish form has fled ; 
Still, I would not now recall thee ; 
Better far that thou should' st calujly 

Slumber with the quiet dead. 

Better, e'er thy heart so blithesome, 
Learned how sad, and drear and toilsome 

Is the lot of all on earth ; 
E'er the time when thou would' st sadly 
Wish thy mother, (grieving fondly,) 

Ne'er had given thee thy birth. 

'Round thy grave bright flowers are springing. 
And the notes of wild birds singing, 

Fill the air at eventide. 
O'er thy headstone, coldly gleaming, 
Summer sun so brightly streaming, 

Seemeth longest to abide. 

Peaceful is thy quiet slumber ; 
Thou among the heavenly number, 

Safe from care will ever be. 
When my journey is completed, 
May we then be re-united 

In t!)e glr.d Eton \\. 



HOiME POEMS. 67 



My bird's sang. 



^jpiS a stormy day and the heavy clouds 
A Hang low, with a frowning main ; 
The rain pours down, and no friendly ray 

From old hidden Sol is seen. 
I sit alone in my study here, 

And wish that the clouds were gone, 
While Dick, my bird, in his cage near by 
Sings to me through the storm. 

Anon the clouds of the deepest dye 

Are cleft by the lightning's flash. 
And the rain with fury fierce and wild, 

'Gainst my window pane doth dash. 
But Dick unheeds the dark outside ; 

(In the South first he saw the dawn). 
And as if he was 'mong his native hills. 

Sings to me through the storm. 

And I smile as I hear his merry lay. 

As it rings so quaint and sweet. 
As I watch the poise of his dainty head. 

And the dance of his busy feet. 
My eye grows bright, and my weary brain 

Forgets it is racked and worn, 
And I say " sing on, my merry bird, 

O sing to me through the storm." 

O, would that all in this selfish world. 

In the hurrying, grasping throng. 
Could have in their souls a hidden hope. 

Or a love that is deep and strong. 
That would light their lives with a gleam of light 

When time leaves them bereft and worn. 
And ring in their hearts through the world's mad strife 

Like my bird's song through the storm. 



HOME POEMS. 



FoDtstEps an the Stair. 



;iTTING in my room at twilight, 
^ In the last faint sunset's glow, 
Watching the fast coming shadows 

Flitting softly to and fro. 
Hushed is now all busy turmoil, 

Ended is the day of care, 
And I, listening, wait the coming 
Of a footstep on the stair. 

Hark ! I hear the firm tread sounding. 

Eagerly he comes to meet 
One he knows awaits his coming. 

One who waits with welcome sweet. 
Though to others I am humble, 

In his eyes I am most fair ; 
Sweetest music to my hearing 

Is his footstep on the stair. 

Lo, he comes ! Ah, when Life's over. 

And my days on earth are past. 
When my heart, so strange and wayward, 

Shall be silent — calm at last, 
Love dies not — my soul in Heaven, 

Though within that realm so fair. 
Still will watch for you, my darling. 

Coming up the golden stair. 



HOME POEMS. 69^ 



Lines. 



TO AN OLD FRIEND. 



MET the friend I loved when but a child, 

And as I clasped again his honest hand 

And looked once more into his earnest eyes, 

I was the happiest mortal in the land. 

The long years sped since last I saw his face 

Seemed but a dream — a dream most strange and wild. 

For by his side the years seemed lifted up, 

And I again a careless, happy child. 

Yet pause I even now to note the change 

The stamp of manhood shows upon his face, 

While on my brow are lines of anxious care — 

(The lot of all in Life's eventful race,) 

Yet O what joy ! (and joys in life are few,) 
It is to see your face, O friend so true ! 

O cruel Time ! to thus so quickly speed, 
And leave your traces on our hearts and brows. 
Eelentless Time ! that crushes out our youth. 
Before whose power the mightiest mortal bows. 
Yet, ah ! you cannot touch the sacred Past, 
Nor turn to blank Youth's written pages fair. 
When Love was truth and Friendship not a name. 
And Childhood built its " castles in the air." 
So tarry by my side, beloved friend ; 
Take once again my hand within your own. 
And let me sit and look upon your face. 
And listen to your voice's kindly tone. 

Friends of To-day, I do not doubt their truth, 
But, ah ! they cannot be the friends of youth. 



70 IlOMi: rOE3IS. 



Dnly a Tress nf Hair, 



|NLY a tress of soft dark hair, 
And yet 'twill be, 
Whatever fate this world may bring. 
Most dear to me. 

The head this tress adorned 

Has laid in rest. 
In true, confiding love, 

Upon my breast. 

The tress was severed then 

That it might be, 
A token dear from her, my friend, 

Who so loved me. 

Dark storms have crossed my path 

Since last we met, 
And yet her dear and loving face 

I'll ne'er forget. 

The sweet, low voice is silent now, 

The head laid low. 
And o'er her grave on yonder hill 

The flowers grow. 

Time brought me many trials sore. 

And heavy care. 
And yet I fondly cherish still 

Her tress of hair. 



SENTIMENTAL. 71 



UM 



m^ii'i 



TliE DmEn. 



WO lovers sat watching one bright summer night, 

Hand in hand, cheek to cheek, the moon's beams, 
Enjoying the present, the future unheeding. 

Their hearts all aglow with their own happy dreams. 

The beautiful sky, by no cloudlet bedimmed, 

Strewn thickly with stars, was as blue 
As the eye of the maiden, who dreamily pondered. 

And listened to promises seemingly true. 

As they looked, two large stars in the heavens above 
Fixed their gaze. " That is mine," said the youth, 

" As that star is my love ever constant and bright, 
As that star everlasting my truth." 

" The other is mine. Brilliant omen of fate ! " 
As she spoke blushes dyed her fair cheek, 

The innocent thoughts to her lips found their way. 
And she spoke as love only can speak. 

Long sat they thus gazing, all trouble forgetting — 

Not noting a cloud from afar, 
Which drifting quite slowly but steadily gaining, 

Soon covered his clear, shining star. 



72 SENTIMENTAL. 



That instant her star like a meteor flashed, 

It sparkled and fell to the ground, 
Where it died — leaving vacant the place it had brightened, 

So now neither star could be found. 

As trembling they saw the fair tokens departing. 

Grief arose in each heart, and with fears 
Crowding backward the love with gloomy forebodings. 

They parted in sorrow and tears. 

They met soon again but with faces averted, 

The love in his heart had grown cold ; 
His vows were untrue and soon lightly were broken, 

As the cloud o'er his star had foretold. 

She mingled in revelry, listened to praises. 

Her thoughts all the while away far. 
With scorn on her lip and all murmurs disdaining 

She died— like her beautiful star. 



Perhaps 



" Since if you stood at my side to-day 

Only our hands would meet, 
"What matter if half the weary world 

Lies out between our feet." Phcebe Caey. 



"^HE flower a hand has rudely pressed 
- Will slowly droop and die, 
A fallen star will ne'er more beam 

Within yon brilliant sky. 
The tree that stood before the gale 

With proudly towering head, 
At length the long continiied storm 
Uproots from Earth's damp bed. 



SENTIMENTAL. 73 



E'en so the love that firmly clung, 

With fervent faith and trust, 
Unto the one whose cold neglect 

Slow crushed it to the dust. 
Like as the tree, the sore tried heart 

At last will surely break, 
And late repentance and kind words 

Dead love can never wake. 

Perhaps the dog whose angry tooth 

Was buried in my hand, 
I'll beckon with a gentle tone 

Again by me to stand. 
Perhaps a little singing bird 

Who hears a serpent hiss. 
At once does fly into its coils 

With joy and trustfulness. 

E'en so, perhaps, in time my heart 

Will learn to love again, 
And trust once more the treach'rous soul 

That bowed it low with pain. 
Perhaps thy falseness I'll forget 

As years shall slow elapse. 
I do not say thee, yea, or nay, 

I only say — Perhaps. 



Parted, 

HEN the twilight's dusky mantle 

Turns to black the forests green, 
When the world is calmly sleeping 

'Neath the bright moon's silvery beam. 
When the nightwinds soft are wafting 

Flowers' pure incense to above. 
All my soul is yearning toward thee. 

And I think of thee, my love. 



74 SENTUFENTAL. 



As I wander o'er Life's pathway 

And my heart grows faint and lone, 
And I weary turn from pleasure, 

Longing for thy voice and home, 
Gentle Peace folds o'er my spirit 

Her soft pinions like a dove, 
And my road seems far less lonely 

When I think of thee, my love. 

Low thy graceful head is lying, 

O'er thy breast the daisies blow, 
And the anguish of my bosom 

Only God and thou can know. 
Though my bruised, rebellious spirit 

Dares to question Him above, 
Still I strive to hush my murmurs 

When I think of thee, my love. 

Do not enter at the portal ! 

Tarry yet a while for me — 
I am hastening up the pathway. 

Soon I'll stand again by thee. 
Leave me not, beloved spirit. 

Wait beside the gate above — 
Hand in hand once more iogether 

Let us enter in, my love. 



Trials, 

ANY the trials I meet in life 
As I hurry the journey along. 

Many the trials, many the cares — 
And many a bitter wrong. 

Many companions I dearly loved 
The Master has called away. 

I know thcij watch and wait for me 
In the happy Far-away. 



SESTI3IENTAL. 75 



Often my fondly cherislied liopes 

Are rudely dashed to earth, 
And often friends I love the best 

I find are of little worth. 

I wept o'er the loss of those I loved, 
I wept o'er my hopes' rude fall, 

But the tears I shed when I found thee false 
We'^e the bitterest tears of all. 

Many the trials I meet in life — 

They are waiting for great and small ; 

But to find my trust in thee betrayed 
Is the heaviest trial of all. 



Lines, 



AM sad and weary, darling. 

Lonely and sick at heart, 
For I long for your dear presence 

Though we are so far apart. 
O, to clasp your hand, my dear one, 

O, your kindly voice to hear. 
Where-so-e'er your feet may wander, 

May God protect you, dear. 

I shall watch for you returning, 

I can never love thee less. 
May His watchful care be with you 

And your life forever bless. 
Though long miles now stretch between us 

Yet in thought I'm ever near, 
And my heart-felt prayer is ever 

That God will bless you, dear. 



76 SENTIMENTAL. 



All ! be sure I'm thinking of you 

Though your name I' never speak, 
And my heart is yearning toward you 

With love thoughts true and deep. 
Heaven guard my distant darling, 

Be the skies above thee clear 
From a single shade o£ clouding, 

And may God protect you, dear. 



REniEintiBr Me 



HEN I am far away, dear one, 

Yes, miles and miles from you, my friend, 
May blessings hover o'er thy path, 

And Fortune e'er thy steps attend. 
My changeful life will often be 

As turbid as a troubled sea. 
Yet, O what joy 'twill be to know 

That sometimes you will think of me. 

Your honest love I do not doubt, 

I clasp your warm and friendly hand, 
I know no other truer friend 

I'll ever find in any land, 
God's blessings on your faithful heart. 

Go where you will — where-e'er you be. 
Let not time weaken Friendship's ties, 

But, dearest one, remember me. 

I know a future day will come, 

A day when we shall meet again. 
The joy of meeting will outweigh 

By far the bitter parting pain. 
Farewell ! your mem'ry, dear, will dwell 

Within my heart on land or sea. 
And may I never live to see 

The day you have forgotten me. 



SENTIMENTAL. Tl 



Watching , 



A SEA STOKY. 

[HE stood alone on the wild sea shore, 
5 Her lover was far away, 
Yet she watched and waited for his return 

Patiently day by day. 
" ' Tis many a day," I heard her say, 

" Since he sailed o'er the dark blue main, 
But I'll murmur not, lie has not forgot, 

I k)wiv he will come again'' 
O'er her brow so fair 

Her soft dark hair 
Was tossed by the Avind so wild. 

Yet her eyes so true 
Scanned the Ocean's blue 

With the faith of a little child. 
But no welcome mast 

Her vision passed 
Though she watched with anxious pain. 

And whispered low : 
" He will come, I know, 

Yes, he surely will come again." 

The year passed by, her soft dark eye 

Grew dim with watching long, 
Y''et her heart's pure will was constant still. 

And her maiden love as strong ; 
Yet she faded fast, and she died at last. 

Her watching all in vain. 
From the distant strand, of a foreign land 

Her lover ne'er came again. 
O'er her brow so calm 

The summer long 
Thri roses bloom so pale. 

And the Eobin's trill 
And the Whip-poor-will 

Her early death bewail. 
Yet I often dream, in the Twilight's gleam, 

I can hear her whisper low: 
" I will murmur not, he has not forgot, 

He will come again, I know." 



78 SENTIMENTAL. 



niscnntEnt. 



HEY come to greet me with their outstretched hands 
And bid me " welcome " in a hearty tone, 

Yet in their midst my heart is discontent, 
And 'mong them all I feel but more alone. 

Their voices cannot win my restless soul, 
Nor drive away the shades of lonely care, 

I turn away from them unsatisfied 
Because you are not there. 

What care I if they praise the songs I sing ? 

What matter if they doat upon my rhyme — 
What matter if they crown me Pleasure's queen, 

If my heart is so lonely all the time ? 
The crowd of smiling faces are to me 

As naught — although they beam so genial, fair — 
I cannot meet and give them smile for smile, 
Because you are not there. 

I'd rather see one honest face I love. 

And feel the touch of one beloved hand, 

Whose clasp has power to thrill my icy heart 
Unmoved by merry strains from Flattery's band. 

So, though they welcome me— a happy band — 
And jest with hearts so free from any care. 

Among them all I feel but more alone 
Because you are not there. 



M^^fl 






SENTIMENTAL. 79 



R HEart Sang 



IS true that we are severed far, 

We ne'er may meet again, dear. 
For I am here and you are there, 

And have been many a sad year. 
My heart yearns ever to your own 

As flowers seek earliest morn's dew, 
Yet still I never do repent 

That I have met and loved you. 

My path in life comes never near 

The way you tread alone, dear. 
You miss my presence by your side. 

And I, too, grieve you're not near, 
Yet mem'ry sweet remains us both 

Of joys so pure we once knew, 
My heart is better — tenderer, 

Since I have met and loved you. 

Mine was a useless, dreary life. 

Without an end or aim, dear ; 
Wrapped up in self I drew to me 

But scorn or pity — doubt — fear. 
Since far from you I seek about 

To find what good I may do, 
And live for others, not myself. 

Since I have met and loved you. 

So, though we journey far apart 

And ne'er shall meet again, dear, 
I'll pray for you and you for me 

With conscience from a blot clear. 
And as I journey on and find 

'Mong many hearts, so few true, 
My faith in human-kind dies not 

Since I liave met and loved you. 



80 SENTIMENTAL. 



God knoweth best — so don't complain, 

But bow unto His will, dear. 
I£ meant that we should meet again 

He'll show the way to us clear. 
But come what may, the world to me 

Is brighter, better, more true, 
Than when I empty hearted roamed 

Before I met and loved you. 



n rifting Apart, 



RIFTING apart ! Drifting apart ! 
Our barks now float on Life's turbid tide, 
But no longer gliding side by side. 
And I miss thy voice of kindly cheer. 
As I watch o'er the waste of waters drear, 
The masts of thy speeding bark. 

Drifting apart ! Afar to roam, 
And every rise of the billows' swell 
Divides us further. Ah ! is it well ? 
My soul says, nay — but so let it be — 
I wave farewell, farewell to thee. 

And journey on alone. 

Drifting apart ! Perhaps ere long 
When my bark is lost fore'er from view. 
When the storm clouds shroud the sky now blue. 
When the tempest fills thy heart with fear, 
You will long, too late, my voice to hear, 

And see thy course is wrong. 



RELIGIOUS. 81 



l^^l^fi 



— MIOII-" 

^Thy Will tiE EnnE/^ 



HY will be done," O simple little words, 

And yet so hard for us to truly say ; 
To bow unquestioning before Thy will. 

And meekly bear the burdens of today. 
Pity our weakness, O most holy Son! 

And teach our murmuring lips to say 
" Thy will be done." 

"Thy will be done." See where the widow mourns, 
As o'er her dead companion sad tears fall. 

Alone she stands — her heart's dear comrade gone, 
Nor answers to her wild despairing call. 

O dry your eyes, poor mourner; think for him 
Has risen up Eternity's glad sun. 

O may He help thy stricken soul to say 
" Thy will be done." 

" Thy will be done." The mother weeping stands 
Beside the coffin of her cherished one; 
The baby, snatched from off her loving breast 

Before its little life had scarce begun. 
Beside her. Lord, in pitying kindness stand. 

And hold her hand, most gracious Holy one; 
Thou know'st how hard for her poor lips to say 
" Thy will be done." 



82 RELIGIOUS. 



" Thy will be done." O how we need thy help 
To say those words with humble, trustful heart, 

To bow before Thy will in everything, 
As in this weary world we take our part. 

Thou knowest our weakness and how prone to stray, 
Kebellious, leaving all Thy work undone; 

But Lord, forgive, and help us all to say 
" Thy will be done." 



HavE Trust in G-nd, 



[AVE trust in God, 

L When o'er thy pathway heavy shadows lie, 
When no kind friend nor earthly help is nigh 
To cheer thy soul; when thy frail bark is driven 
By darkest storms of life, look unto Heaven 
And trust in God. 

Have trust in God, 
He knows the lonesome way is dark and drear. 
He knows thy heart is often filled with fear; 
But His strong hand is at the vessel's helm. 
And though storms rave, they ne'er shall overwhelm. 
So trust in God. 

Have trust in God; 
He bendeth low to hear thy faintest call, 
He knoweth every trial — burden — all — 
So when thy cares seem heaviest to bear. 
Press on thy way with softly whispered prayer. 
And trust in God. 

Have trust in God, 
And when thy bark shall breast the tide no more. 
When life's long journey shall at last be o'er. 
Then will thy soul, from its dark bondage free. 
Soar to the heavenly shore and ever be 
Safe with its God. 



RELIGIOUS. ^3 



REsignatinni 



OW doth our minds e'er strive to see 
^ Into the dark futurity! 
To pierce the gloom before our eyes, 
The cloud that o'er the future lies, 
And see our whole lives clear and plain, 
How much of joy — how much of pain. 
And often do we pass away 
In longings vain the present day, 
While fancy paints a scene more fair. 
With flowers rich and scented air. 
Which, by the contrast, dims the light 
Of blessings that are now so bright. 

Ah, foolish ones ! to pass in scorn 
The treasures of life's early morn, 
To slight the jewels at our feet, 
And grasp for those beyond our reach, 
And for " What is to come " still sigh, 
Until to-day has glided by ! 
O let us meet the coming years. 
With all their pleasures, cares and fears. 
Just as God's providence has planned. 
And humbly take from His kind hand 
The good, the ill, the toil, the rest. 
E'er feeling that He knoweth best. 



Submisslnn. 



Y heart doth not yet understand 
The workings of Thy wondrous hand, 

Nor know Thy righteous way; 
But what is now as blackest night. 
Thy mighty love will sometime light, 

Make plain some future day. 



84 RELIGIOUS. 



'Tis true the way looks lone and dark, 
And often my faint, saddened heart 

Is filled with grief and pain ; 
But when Thy gracious words I hear, 
'• Dear child, thy Lord is ever near," 

The path seems bright again. 

Then let me trust Thee more and more, 
And when my weary days are o'er. 

And my bewildered sight 
Shall look back over life again. 
With all its mysteries made plain, 

ril see thai Thou ivast right. 



My PrayEP, 



[OLD Thou my hand, 

*■ As o'er life's changing, stormy sea I float. 
And storm-gusts fierce, threat oft to wreck my boat; 
Oh ! when the billows roar and swell most high, 
When naught I see but dark and frowning sky, 
Lord, near me stand. 

Lord, call to me 
Whene'er with fancied strength I strive to guide, 
Without Thy help, my bark across the tide ; 
Oh, let not then Thy anger on me fall, 
But deign the foolish wanderer to recall, 

Back unto Thee. 

Hold thou my hand. 
And give me strength to battle boldly on ; 
Ne'er shrinking, though the tide be swift and strong. 
And when by yon bright shore my anchor's cast, 
O, then with thankful soul may I at last 

Before Thee stand. 



RELIGIOUS. 85 



Be Than My G-uidE. 



r TEEAD along life's changeful, rugged pathway, 
I- And gather often briers— sometimes tlowers ; 
Still, looking forth with hope in the to-morrow, 

I pass away Time's swiftly flying hours. 
But naught of evil will my years betide, 
If Thou, O Lord, wilt be my shield and guide. 

Oft doth my heart, with sad and weary pining, 
Long for the coming of a brighter day. 

And often to my thankless eyes discerning, 
Is naught but dreary darkness all the way. 

And oft my^lips with murmurings loud complain. 

Because the blessings sent are mixed with pain. 

Teach me, O Lord, with humble mind to praise Thee, 
Alike 'mid pleasure and in trouble sore ; 

O, may I e'er, amidst life's stormiest billows. 
But cling unto and trust Thee more and more. 

And lift my eyes in earnest faith above, 

Belying on Thy strong, undying love. 

Watch Thou o'er me through all the busy future, 
Within my soul in gracious kindness dwell, 

And may I e'er amidst life's strangest changes, 
Still feel within myself, Thou do'st all icell 

For naught but good can all my days betide, 

If Thou, O Lord, wilt be my shield and guide. 




Iliill 

015 8633656 



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